Combination tractor and vehicle.



c. R. HOTCHKISS. COMBINATION TRACTOR AND VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25| IBIS.

Patented Sept 10, 1918.,

CHARLES R. HOTCHKISS, 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINATION TRACTOR AND VVEHICLE maybe supported and with which it may be propulsively connected' so that the combined mechanism may act as a unit of travel.l

It consists in so mounting the vehicle that the propelling mechanism occupies such a position relative to the tractor that the two may be connected, means by which said connection may be effected, means to drive av plurality of alined tractor wheels in unison, and means by which the tractor frame may yield and accommodate itself to the varying surface over which the tractor wheels may pass, without change in the driving effort thereon.

It also comprises details of construction which will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in

which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the tractor and the vehicle indicated in dotted lines. Y Fig. 2 is a plan view of the tractor.V Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view. Y The tractor is here shown as consisting of a plurality of pairs of wheels A, of any suitable or usual construction, each pair being fixed to an axle B, the ends of which are journaled independently in members C of lthel tractor frame. This frame is made in two sections which meet at the ends midway of the length and have vertical guiding engaging arcs 3 which are capable of movement, so that the frame sections may tilt vwith relation to each other and about a common journal, as will be hereafter described.

The automobile frame, which in the present case` illustrates the combination, is -of greater width than the tractor frame to allow its rear portion to be supported up'on the tractor frame with the rear dlfiere'ntial' l axle 4 extending above the tractor frame midway of its length and supported in boxes 'mounted on the tractor frame. The rear wheels-of the automobile are removed and n their places are fitted driving gearing l ed and independent movements Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 10, 1918.

Application led February 26, 1918. Serial No. 219,304.

which, in the present case, consist of screw members 6 of a worm gear. The companlon members are shafts with the frame and having formed upon gear 8. Power isthem the spiral Worm*` transmitted to rotate this shaft from the differential shaft .4 and is transmitted y journaled parallel v through spiral worms 9 upon the shaft 7 to pinions 10upon the shafts of the adjacent wheels A. These wheels may have any desired form of tractive surface, and I have shown them grooved centrally to receive chains 11. These chains are out of contact with the ground and serve to transmit power from the first wheels of a pair to the second following wheels in each series, thus insurl` lng united tractive eort upon each pair of 'f The front wheels of the automobile which rest upon the ground in front of the tractor members and may be turned by any usual or suitable steering gear to direct the apparatus, the differential gear of the vehicle member making this possible by reason of the variation of the driving power to either side of the tractor throughthe differential gear, while irregularities of the 'surface traveled over are compensated by the, jointtICtOI' frame members.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Patent is l. yA tractor lincluding a two-part frame, a-=pluralityof pairs of wheels with, axles j ournaled independently in each half of the Letters frame, means to support a motor Vehicle. with its driving shaft and differential gear upon the frame, anda transmission mechanism connecting each end of the differential shaft withlthe shaft of the contiguous traction whee t 2: A tractor including a two-part frame,

a plurality of pairs of wheels with axles journaled independently in series in each half of the frame, means to support a motor vehicle with its driving shaft and differential gear upon the frame, transmission mechof the tW'Oj anism connecting each end of the dierential shaftwith the contiguous wheel of a successive connected series, and guiding means between the meeting ends of the frames to allow independent vertical move` ment of said frames.

3. In a tractor of the character described, a two-part frame with vertically movable joints and guides at each end, bearing wheels with axles journaled in line in each half of the frame and in series one behind another, means connecting each two of the successive series independently of the following series, means to support a motor vehicle with its driving means and differential shaft upon the frame intermediately of the two following series, transmission gearing between the ends of the differential shaft and the shafts of each following series, and journal boxes fixed to the two parts of the frame in which j the differential shaft turns and about which vertical movements of the two-part fra-me may take place.`

4. A tractor lncluding a two-part frame with vertically movable joints and guides ateach end, tractor wheels with axles journaled in line in each frame member and in series connected inpairs to turn in unison, an automobile with a motor and a driving shaft, a differential rear shaft journaled across the frame members, front steering wheels resting upon the ground in front of the tractor wheel frame, and transmission mechanism connecting the ends of the differential shaft with the traction wheels.

5. A tractor including a sectional frame, traction wheels borne by each section of the frame, means to support the rear end of a motor vehicle on said frame, means connecting the sections to permit same to move independently and vertically, and means to drive thetraction wheels from the motor Vehicle.

6. A tractor including a frame, means to support the rear end of a motor vehicle on said frame, traction wheels supporting the ing the frame divisions, and means to drive the wheels from the vehicle.

8. A tractor including a frame, traction wheels on each side of the frame, means to support the rear end of a motor vehicle on said frame, a shaft on each side of the frame extending longitudinally thereof, means to drive the shafts from the motor vehicle, and means to drive the wheels from th'e adjacent portions of the shafts.-

9. A tractor including a frame, means to support the rear end of a motor vehicle on said frame, a pair of wheels on each side of the frame, a shaft on' each side of the frame, means on each shaft for actuating each of the pair of wheels, and means to drive the shafts from the motor vehicle.

10. ln a tractor, a frame having sides and ends connecting the sides, traction wheels on each side of the frame, means to support the rear end of a motor vehicle on said frame at substantially the center thereof, means to drive the wheels fromthe motor vehicle, and means to allow the wheels on either side of .the frame to have vertical movement independent of the wheels on the other side of the frame.

ln testimony whereof l have hereunto set ymy hand in the presence of two subscribing W. W. HEALEY, M. E. EwiNe. 

